Regulations

New Jersey Operators Progress On Stricter TNC Rules

TRENTON, N.J. — Not only did the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) raise a whopping $21,465 at its annual dinner-auction meeting May 18, LANJ President Jason Sharenow shared good news on TNC regulation legislation.

In fact, on Thursday, May 19, a state Assembly Transportation Committee panel advanced a proposal to create a statewide standard for TNCs by mandating companies pay an annual permit fee, hold a two-tiered insurance policy, and enforce background checks that could include fingerprinting.

Further, another bill passed through the Assembly that will eliminate the sales tax on service as well as recraft the insurance regulations for for-hire companies like LANJ members.

“The sales tax collected by limo companies puts us at a 7% disadvantage right off the bat. The TNC’s do not collect it, why should we?” Sharenow said. “We are happy legislation has been introduced to move towards leveling the playing field."

Added Corelli, "We have our fingers crossed the TNC and sales tax legislation will move forward. It was a good day for LANJ and New Jersey operators."

LANJ issued a statement today on the outcome of the Assembly legislation: “We applaud Assemblymen Lagana, Singleton and Wisniewski for introducing statewide regulation for Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft to avoid patchwork local rules that create an uneven regulatory system, but unfortunately, more is needed to adequately protect the riding public. To properly regulate companies like Uber and Lyft, mandatory fingerprinted background checks are a must to ensure a comprehensive background check.

While Uber may object, fingerprinted background checks are not only required in the for-hire transportation industry, but are also routinely required for teachers, nurses, mortgage brokers and others. Our legislators established these requirements because of the importance of public safety. Why would New Jersey want to lower the standards that protect its citizens?

Operators Douglas Schwartz of the Long Island Transportation Association and Kevin Barwell of the Limousine Bus Taxi Operators of Upstate New York went to Albany, N.Y. on Jan. 30, 2019 to speak before the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 Executive Budget to oppose a proposal to ban modified stretch limousines in the state of New York.

The world's No. 1 online marketplace and trader for professional chauffeured and chartered vehicles, including all types of motorcoaches, buses, vans, stretch limousines, sedans, SUVs, exotics, and classics. New and used vehicles are available from sellers across the nation.